A new mural for I-225

A new mural greets visitors and residents to Southeast Denver from I-225 and S. Yosemite Street, adjoining Cherry Creek 3:The mural and landscaping (it will take a few years for the plants to mature, bloom and spread)

Introducing... the new I-225 "Welcome to Denver" mural and accompanying landscaping! Not too long ago, the CDOT sound wall at the I-225/S. Yosemite Street exit was pretty bland and almost unnoticeable to the thousands of vehicles that drove past it daily. A newly-painted mural and some new plants have changed the unnoticeable to vibrant and lively!After a couple of years of planning and meetings, Denver District 4 City Councilperson Kendra Black, Cherry Creek 3 President Don Ireland (who created the idea) and supportive local businesses plan got permission from CDOT to give the sound wall a makeover.

Noted Denver artist and muralist Delton Demarest (http://www.deltondemarestarts.com/) created the new "Welcome to Denver" mural. Delton (pictured below) generously donated his talents and painted the mural, with financial support for materials from local businesses and residents.

Here's an up-close look at the project:

The accompanying landscaping features low-water & native species recommended by Plant Select. The plants include Prairie Jewel Penstemon, Standing Ovation little bluestem, red yucca, mock bearberry manzanita, pawnee buttes sandcherry and gold on blue prairie zinnia. These plants will help attract and sustain pollinators.The mural elementsinclude several well-known Denver icons. Can you spot them in the photos below? Look to see Red Rocks, the state Capital, Mile High Stadium and statues from City Park, Civic Center, the Museum of Science and Nature and the Molly Brown House.At the ends of the mural are a hummingbird and a butterfly, among the key pollinators to the region.

Note to Cherry Creek 3 residents: Although your HOA Board supported the concept for this project, it was not a regular budget item. Cherry Creek 3 handled incoming contributions and paid mural-related costs. The mural project, however, was not paid for from your HOA dues.

Here is how the I-225 retaining wall looked for years...(the "before" picture)